CONFERENCE OF MINERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 87

CONFERENCE OF MINERS.

MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE DISTRICT.

(Feoh Odb Special Repobteh.) LAWRENCE, May 25. A conference was held this morning between the- old diggers and the modern, miners. The Mayor, who convened the gathering, explained that he had called them together to sec if anyone could put forward any ideas of a practical character with regard to the further development of the minerals of this or of any of tn© adjacent districts. He would be very pleased if any such ideas would emanate from the meeting, seeing that it was a Gabriel's gathering and that it was Gabriel Read who hist discovered gold in Tuapeka. Ho thought there was plenty of ground considered to be too poor that would pay well if worked by improved methods, particularly where deep leads existed. He then threw the meeting open in an informal way for anyone to speak who felt disposed. Mr J. T. Johnson (Waipori) related his experiences in regard to deep levels on the Waipori Flat. He said that by means of races which were begun and worked by the old miners he was now able to work 70ft below the level to which the diggers had worked, aaid the ground was still payable.. If ho could be sure of getting 15 heads of water throughout the year ao would be equally sure of an income of £3OOO per year. He was satisfied that the so-called bottom was a false bottom, and that even the bottom that ho was on was not the true bottom. In his opinion the flat was like a ship with a series of decks, and no one could say what depth they would have to go to before the ground proved payable. If the aid of Government were sought it should be directed not into private schemes, but into schemes promoted by the general public. Mr R. Cotton (Waipori) said he was satisfied from tests and experiences that the deep lead on Waipori Flat was at least 10, if not 12, miles long, and there were lots of minerals in the district besides gold. He knew of antimony, scheelite, and copper existing there, and many spots were worth trying. However, it was only by Government aid that this could be done. It was too big an undertaking for a private party.

Mr Johnson said ho knew that the leads to which Mr Cotton referred were there. What was wanted was to cut them with bores to be sure of their continuity. Mr R. Ledlie (Blue Spur) said lie had every leason for saying that there were payable minerals in the Lammerlaw Rant's, and ho had great hopes of the Wctherstones cement.

Mr Thomas Pilling said the difficultywas that the old miners, who had a practical knowledge of the lay of the country and its outcrops, had left no record of their discoveries. If they told these things to their sons it was without result, because in most cases the sens were not looking' for prospecting work, but for billets injfcgj civil service. Waitairuna and - Tabic and the adjoining country was full of ri\lL but the trouble was that those who iwq possessed information about them had not passed it on. Mr William Evans (Evansdale) said ho knew of four reefs at Table Hill.

The Mayor and Mr Pilling both &i length of the ascertained facts in respect of the probable lay of gold in the district. Mr John Eadie said he had a close knowledge of all the ground in the locality, and it was his firm opinion that the ground about Munroe's and other gullies near by was mad© ground and had not been properly tested at low levels. Mr Thomas Morris (Mornington), in order to give the meeting a- practical turn, suggested that all those who were interested should think over what had been said, and when they had something., to say of importance they should communicate with the Mayor of Lawrence. This suggestion was generally well received. Mr John S. Hope (Thames) gave particulars of his reefing experiences, and said fcho first thing that should be dene was to get young fellows to go out prospecting. Then, if they came across anything hopeful, tney should get a diamond drill to find the true bottom, and afterwards cross-cut. The main thing was to get the young fellows out, but they did not seem inclined to do it.

Mr Johnson moved, and Mr W. S. Howard (G'enham) seconded, a motion as follows:—"That those present form themselves into a mining- progress committee, with power to add to their number, this to bo the nucleus of an association to operate probably in many places besides Tuapelca. and that those interested undertake to correspond with one another through tho chairman and exchange practical ideas on the subject." This was cwrijd and the conference coneluded.

THE LAST FUNCTION. The celebrations were practically brought to a conclusion this afternoon. The pioneers were accorded a picnic at tho High School grounds, and the gathering proved eminently successful and enjoyable. An abundance of refreshment's was provided, and when fie pioneers and the public were assembled in front of the school several songs were sung and dancing indulged in with great vigour. This evening a smoke concert was held in the Volunteer Hall, and was very largely attended by the pioneers and, the public. Like other events of the week, it proved a complete success. A number of old-time songs, contributed by several of the pioneers, were received with great enthusiasm. A series of lantern views of early and present-day Lawrence and district, which were projected on tho screen by the Rev. Scott Allan, with explanatory references by Mr J. Strachan, proved deeply interesting. Among those who coi>

tributed to the programme were Messrs John Scott (\Vaitahuna, wiio has been in great demand during the week), John Johnstone (Dunedin), James _ Sibbald (the pioneer who walked from Lindjis Pass to i>awrenoe), Henry Walton, J. Sutherland, J. E. Strachan, James Wright, T. Ryan (Waifcahuna), John Smith, (Hastings), J. Sutherland, jun. (Lawrence), James Walker (Wyndbam), and • Andrews- (Wellington). Towards the close cf the evening the pioneers showed their appreciation in a practical way of the efforts put forward on their behalf by Mr J. (J. Browne, secretary of the Jubilee Committee. Mr Henry Walton, on behalf of the pioneers, presented Mr Browne with a tangible token of their esteem. Words failed him, he 'said, to express their appreciation of Mr Browne's untiring efforts. They were gong away from Lawrence on the morrow, and felt that they could not depart without leaving some tribute behind. Mr Browne, in reply, thanked the pioneers for their gift and the spirt that was behind it. It showed him that the friendships formed between the pioneers and himself wore sincere and real, and he trusted that those friendships would long continue. Cheers followed for Mr Browne and Mrs Browne.

Mr H. Harraway said he felt sure he was voicing the sentiments of every pioneer present in putting forward the following motion: —'' That this meeting of pioneers tender its deepest thanks to his Worship the Mayor and all those friends who have so ably assisted him to entertain us on this, the jubilee of Gabriel's Gully. We beg to assure his Worship that wo have all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and that we fully appreciate the kind and generous hospitality extended to us on this occasion." In speaking to the motion, Mr Harraway said the committee and people of Lawrence could not possibly have don© more for them. Their kindnesses were such as they could never forget. Mr D. Calder (Dunedin) seconded the motion. He referred to the great kindness extended on all sides to the pioneers by the people of Lawrence. Everyone had been delighted with the hospitality. They would never forget the treatment accorded to thorn.

Several .other pioneers endorsed what bad been said in regard to the treatment meted out to them. It had been like a great home-coming., and if the people of Lawrence were to come to the towns in which pioneers lived their doors would be thrown open to tihem. The celebrations of the past week and tibe attentions of the people as a whole to make their stay pleasant and enjoyable would never be effaced from their memories.

The motion was carried by acclamation, and rousing cheers were given by the pioneers for the Mayor and his assistants and for the ladies of Lawrence.

The Mayor responded, and the gathering terminated with the singing of " Auld lang syne." A ball was held in, the Town Hall this evening, and proved a most successful functon.

In addition to the previously-published list of 1861 pioneers who are taking part in the celebrations are the following:— Robert Weir (Papakaio), Patrick Fahey (St. Batbar.s), James _ Vial (Musselburgh), Thomas Morris (Mornington), George Vial (Waikaia), Simon Fahey (Wetherstones). Mr John Wood, secretary of the Early Settlers' Association, has been a prominent figure in the various functions during the week.